Minority business center opens in Bridgeport

Tim Loh

Updated 8:34 pm, Wednesday, November 13, 2013

BRIDGEPORT -- "I want the Gold Coast to understand there's an organization trying to move the needle forward on minority businesses," said Dr. Fred McKinney, grinning widely as he stepped out of his freshly renovated office last Friday night.

Out in the lobby, the scene was bustling. People were sipping cocktails. People were scooping up hor'dourves. People were networking -- just as McKinney likes it.

It was the official opening night of the Bridgeport Minority Business Development Center, one of 46 such facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The centers are designed to boost job creation and the global competitiveness of minority-owned firms. The Bridgeport outfit owes its existence to a four-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, which administers the whole program. Those funds are primarily earmarked for helping the American Indian and Alaskan Native business communities land contracts with other businesses.

Yet, the Bridgeport MBDC is just one of several programs opening at 333 State Street, a long-shuttered property that's in the process of reopening in the heart of this city's downtown. In January, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Council relocated here. McKinney, the president and CEO of the council, said he's glad it's finally back where it was created in the mid-1970s. (It subsequently relocated to New Haven, then to Hamden.) It is housing and operating the Bridgeport MBDC.

McKinney aspires to help lead a renaissance in urban businesses across New England. Earlier Friday, he'd concluded a 5-day "Advanced Leadership Program" that brought in executives of Yankee Gas, Danbury-based Cartus, Bridgeport Hospital and other organizations to speak to the handful of paying participants. McKinney plans to repeat the $4,000 seminar series. He also hopes to link minority business leaders with big Fairfield County businesses like Norwalk-based Xerox, Stamford-based Pitney Bowes and Peoples' United Bank in Bridgeport -- all the while gaining the ear of wealthy Fairfield County families looking for a place to donate resources.

"I see a need for an organization like ours to provide inspiration, hope and resources for entrepreneurs in this region," he said. "Bridgeport is part of one of the wealthiest areas of the country.

"There are lots of people who say they want to help, but they don't know how to help."

Already, McKinney has one fan in City Hall across the street.

"I've known Dr. McKinney for at least 15 years and admire the great work he has done to further the cause of business diversity and minority contracting throughout the state," said Mayor Bill Finch in an email Wednesday. "I look forward to working with him to continue to expand opportunities for minority contractors."